Dargo I found the show quite by accident, 2 or 3 years after it was cancelled. The fan base is so strong that a couple years after the show was canceled they brought out a full length motion picture to attempt to wrap us some of the story lines, the movie was called "SERENITY" and there is now an attempt to make another movie. The author just released a second series of comic books with new stories, there have been a couple novels, etc.
As for contemporary TV shows, I'll agree with you on HOUSE, add in BONES and occasionally Dirty Jobs.